noun
relationship
rih-LAYSHN-shihp
noun
1
The way two or more people or things are connected, or the connection itself.
"They have a good working relationship despite disagreeing often."
"Scientists are studying the relationship between sleep and memory."
2
A romantic or sexual partnership between two people.
"They've been in a relationship for almost three years."
3
Kinship; the state of being related by blood or marriage.
"Her relationship to the family was through her grandmother."
How to Use Relationship
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow two people, groups, or things are connected — including, very commonly, a romantic partnership.
Common pairings
long-term relationship
working relationship
end a relationship
relationship with someone
Word Forms
relationships plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “relationship”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
They have a good working _____ despite disagreeing often.
Etymology
From relation plus the suffix -ship, which traces back to Old English -scipe, meaning "state" or "condition."